One minute, Senegal were cruising into the last 16 of the World Cup. The next, they were left wondering how another dream had slipped through their grasp — and raging at a VAR decision that will haunt them for years.
Manager Pape Thiaw's side led 2018 semi-finalists Belgium 2-0 with only four minutes left of normal time in Seattle, after goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr. But after outplaying their opponents, they somehow "found a way to lose the game", as ex-Republic of Ireland skipper Roy Keane put it on ITV.
“Senegal rage after VAR awards 125th-minute penalty, completing Belgium's 3-2 comeback from 2-0 down in World Cup.”
Romelu Lukaku, the 33-year-old striker who played only 69 minutes of club football last season, sparked hope when he flicked home Thomas Meunier's cross in the 86th minute. "Senegal were better than Belgium for 70 minutes. Then Lukaku came on and changed the momentum," said former England striker Dion Dublin on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Three minutes later, Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw failed to deal with Leandro Trossard's centre and captain Youri Tielemans — who had been seen earlier in a heated argument with Trossard — rose highest to head into an empty net, forcing extra time. It was the latest any team have trailed by two or more goals in regulation time and gone on to avoid defeat at a World Cup.
Then came the controversy. Referee Said Martinez initially waved play on when Lamine Camara challenged Tielemans, but after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, he pointed to the spot. Senegal's players erupted, surrounding the pitchside monitor and standing around the penalty spot, causing a lengthy delay of more than 10 additional minutes.
Tielemans stepped up and sent his penalty into the net 124 minutes and 44 seconds into the match — the latest goal scored in World Cup history — condemning Senegal to further agony after they had already been stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year.
"Football is just crazy. I couldn't call any of this game," Dublin said. Belgium boss Rudi Garcia praised his squad's depth, saying: "In football, anything is always possible as long as you believe in it. The strength of this squad also lies in the players who come off the bench, because you can't get results with just 11 players."
Belgium, who topped Group G, now face the winners of the round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia & Herzegovina in the last 16. For Senegal, the questions will linger long after the final whistle: how did they let a two-goal lead slip, and was that penalty really the right call?